A resident of New York is taking legal action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claiming that police showed up at his home following an email he sent criticizing their enforcement practices during immigration raids.
David Strieber, a citizen from Rochester, filed the lawsuit on Monday against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE in D.C. He alleges that these actions infringed on his First Amendment rights, as stated in his complaint.
Strieber was in Finland with his 7-year-old daughter last month when two officers visited his home, delivering a notice to his wife, which indicated that an email sent months prior was considered threatening.
In January, he emailed then-acting ICE Director Todd Lyons in response to the fatal shooting of American citizen Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent during a raid in Minneapolis.
In that email, Strieber described Lyons as a “monstrous human being” destined to be remembered as an infamous figure, suggesting he would face consequences for his actions.
“Your defense of the execution in Minnesota will be your downfall,” Strieber wrote. He warned that no matter where Lyons tried to escape the truth of his actions, he would ultimately confront them.
When the officers confronted Strieber’s wife, they handed her a “warning notice” suggesting that Strieber “may have violated federal law” by reaching out to the ICE leader.
The notice, which was viewed by Fox News Digital, urged him to “immediately remove and/or discontinue” his actions, indicating that it would be considered serious if he continued any “criminal activity.”
His wife explained that he was abroad, but upon his return, federal agents attempted to confront him at a hotel in New York City but were denied by the staff.
That same night, officers called Strieber’s phone multiple times, identifying themselves as part of Homeland Security Investigations.
During the train ride home, Strieber discussed the potential confrontation with his daughter, leading her to become visibly upset and worried for his safety.
Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney representing Strieber, contended that the email was protected speech under the First Amendment and should not have been construed as a threat. He remarked that if Strieber were really a danger, the authorities would not have waited five months before responding.
Strieber expressed his shock at the federal agents’ visit, emphasizing the importance of openly discussing public concerns. He wished that it wouldn’t deter others from sharing their views, even when critical of the government.
He said he felt compelled to write to the ICE director after being disturbed by the shooting in Minnesota, not expecting it to lead to such a significant response from federal authorities.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from DHS and ICE regarding the situation.
The lawsuit also names Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin, who has publicly denied claims of stifling free speech, according to the Associated Press. The complaint requests the court to order DHS and ICE officials to stop the “coercion and retaliation” related to Strieber’s speech.
In a separate incident, Pagelyn Gonia, a poll worker from Syracuse, spoke about her own confrontation with federal agents at a polling place during the New York state primary, which she believes was connected to social media posts about Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent involved in the shooting.
She mentioned posting a photo of Ross with the message that it would be a good day for him to be indicted. Gonia’s post was made after Ross’s identity had been made public.
DHS spokeswoman Lauren Biss commented on Gonia’s posts, suggesting she committed a federal crime by sharing the addresses of ICE law enforcement personnel, stating that investigations would occur for such actions.
